Laois man's recollection of alleged disturbance at Portlaoise hospital ‘a bit hazy’
The incident occurred at Portlaoise hospital
A MAN’S recollection of a disturbance he allegedly caused in the A&E department of Portlaoise hospital on 31 May was a bit hazy, according to his solicitor.
Philip Meagher was speaking about his client John Egan (45), Capel Place, Lyster Square, Portlaoise.
Mr Egan had previously been before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court the morning after the alleged incident, where he was charged with being intoxicated in a public place and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at the hospital.
Prosecuting at that hearing, Garda Hogan said that, when arrested, charged and cautioned with the offences, Mr Egan replied: “Shut the f**k up.” When the case resumed on Thursday 4 June, Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said there was no objection to bail being granted.
Mr Meagher said that the alleged offences occurred over the June bank holiday weekend and he was seeking all details on the alleged incident, including CCTV footage from the hospital, if available, before deciding on how to plead.
Sgt Kirby said the alleged incident occurred in the hospital’s A&E department and that “there may be CCTV available.” Mr Meagher said that his client’s “own recollection is a bit hazy around the events,” to which Sgt Kirby replied: “It’s mainly verbals.”
Judge Susan Fay remanded Mr Egan on continuing bail to the 6 July sitting of the court to allow him time to consider if he is entering a guilty plea. If not, she would set 22 September as a provisional date for a full hearing into the case.
